Earn up to 1 AMA PRA Category I Credit™

Statement of Purpose:
No antibiotic has ever eliminated any disease-causing organism from the planet. This feat has only been accomplished by vaccines and a strategy of broad population immunization. Using the human immune system to fight off infectious disease has been around for over 200 years, since the pioneering work of Jenner and Pasteur, but the giant strides of the past century could easily be eclipsed in the next dozen years.
The primary role of the immune system is to identify and eliminate antigens from the body, and then making antibodies to eliminate antigens. This system is also involved in inactivating viruses, microbes, and bacteria, as well as remembering prior interactions with these agents in order to mount a stronger response upon next exposure. The body's ability to recognize and eliminate foreign material provides protection from disease. Eight million people die each year from diseases that could be prevented with future vaccines. Presently exciting research is ongoing finding vaccines against HIV, TB, malaria, HPV and others.
Scientific and clinical understanding of vaccines and immunization is accelerating dramatically and holds enormous potential to reduce the human and monetary burden of disease. Recombinant science is revolutionizing vaccine technology, making new and better vaccines possible. Whole new categories of therapeutic and cancer-preventing vaccines are on the horizon.

• Given the importance of immunizations for prevention, you will discuss and implement the 2006 General Recommendations on Immunizations for Children and Adolescents published by the CDC
• Based on these recommendations, you will be able to defend the safety of vaccines to concerned parents based on evidence-based information
• Understanding the benefits of special immunizations among some groups of children and adolescents, you will actively recommend appropriate immunizations for your patients in these groups

Target Audience:

This activity was developed to provide the most pertinent information to family physicians, general practitioners, general internists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Along with all involved in the care of patients with hypertension.

Accreditation Statement:
Release Date: April 18, 2007
Valid for credit through April 18, 2008

ACCME: Antidote Education Company is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.  Antidote designates this continuing medical education activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category I Credit™.

Faculty & Disclosures:

Michael O. Fleming, MD, FAAFP - Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Comprehensive Care, LSU Health Science Center School of Medicine, Shreveport, LA; Assistant Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Tulane University Medical School, New Orleans, LA; Senior Medical Director, Antidote Education Company, Dallas, TX

Dr. Fleming disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Thomas N. Saari, MD, FAAP - Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI

Dr. Saari disclosed that he received hororaria from Novartis, Pfizer and Boehringer Ingelheim.

Disclaimer: The EB CME credit awarded for this activity was based on practice recommendations that were the most current with the strongest level of evidence available at the time this activity was approved. Since clinical research is ongoing, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that learners verify sources and review these and other recommendations prior to implementation into practice.